While it's been said before, it bears repeating. The King's 2025 offseason left a lot to be desired, both in what they did do and what they didn't do.
The front office's plan seems to be "run it back," even though last seasons didn't turn out so well. Still, they could be thinking that so much 2024-2025 midseason upheaval threw everything off. This will be the first full season with the current head coach and roster.
Yet, fans and pundits alike expected more moves out of the Kings' front office to balance out their shoot-first offence. It wasn't for lack of trying. Nobody took their trade attempts for Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan seriously. That's something Monk needs to think about.
Malik Monk knows where he stands
The rumor was that the Kings were trying to trade Monk to make room for Russell Westbrook. If that feels illogical, you would be right.
Westbrook is a 36-year-old point guard whose been in the league since 2008 and is closing in on retirement. Monk is a 27-year-old point guard with almost a decade less mileage who is in his prime and has done good work for the Kings.
No trade went through, leaving Monk with the Kings for now. The unintended consequence of that move was that it told Monk exactly how the front office sees him. By shopping him around, the Kings are implying that they don't see him as a necessary part of the roster and will move him if possible.
Malik Monk on the move
This offseason has left Monk in a tough position. He's playing for a team he knows doesn't want him, no matter what they say privately or publicly. Regardless, Malik is a professional and will do his job to the best of his abilities
Until it's time to take his skills somewhere else.
Monk just completed year one of a four year contract with the Kings, which has a player option in year four. Unless a trade is lined up between now and that player option, Monk has two more seasons with the Kings before he can consider exploring free agency.
The trade train has left the station, so the Kings will keep looking for a potential move right up until the trade deadline. Monk might not know for sure where he'll be playing in six months, but at least he knows where he stands with his current team.